Visitor Center Report

Alpine plants are blooming along the Mt. Aka course trail near Komakusadaira and Daiyon Sekkei;
however, they have not yet reached full bloom. On the other hand, there are many flowers nearing full bloom around the peak. In particular, blooming Diapensia lapponica subsp. obovata are spreading out all over the peak.
Among the other alpine plants, the Dryas octopetala var. asiatica, Viola crassa subsp. borealis, and Lagotis yesoensis are also quite lovely now.

Mt. Aka course and flowering conditions:
Komakusadaira: The Dicentra peregrina are blooming throughout the area but have yet to reach full bloom.
Ledum palustre subsp. palustre var. decumbens
, Diapensia lapponica subsp. obovata

Mt. Aka peak: Diapensia lapponica subsp. obovata ◎, Sieversia pentapetala
, Phyllodoce caerulea
, Viola crassa subsp. borealis
, Dryas octopetala var. asiatica
, Lagotis yesoensis
, Potentilla matsumurae
, Pedicularis oederi subsp. heteroglossa , Oxytropis japonica var. sericea

Photos: Diapensia lapponica subsp. obovata near the Mt. Aka peak (left) and Dicentra peregrina at Komakusadaira (right) Jul. 1

The Lagotis yesoensis growing along the ridgeline from Mt. Midori to Mt. Koizumi are in their peak viewing season. This plant blooms from the bottom up, and therefore when the top flowers are blooming, those on the bottom are wilting. Consequently, the flowers are most beautiful when two thirds are blooming from the bottom. The very best time should come around the end of this week.
Photo: Koizumidaira Jun. 29

The Dryas octopetala var. asiatica are blooming all at once between the Itagaki junction and Koizumidaira. There are still many buds on the plants, so the number of flowers should increase even more in the days ahead. Of course what happens will depend on the weather, but the best viewing time should begin this weekend and continue through next week.
Photo: Koizumidaira Jun. 29

Although the snow on the middle slopes of Mt. Midori is melting more quickly than last year, the areas around Daiichi Hanabatake and Daini Hanabatake are still largely snow fields. Thickets of Pinus pumila are growing here and there, particularly from Daini Hanabatake to the Eiko no Sawa rocky slope, and make it difficult to take direct shortcuts. When visibility is poor, climbers should proceed while confirming the route with a compass or GPS device. Moreover, care should be taken to avoid wandering off the route by following pink tape that was placed for use during the high snow season or mistaken footprints.
Photo: The upper area of Daini Hanabatake, Mt. Midori Jun. 29

The snow around Hisago-numa is melting more quickly this year than usual; however, major parts of the trails from the ridgeline down to the pond are buried in snow. When visibility is poor, the route from the north junction (Kaundaira) down to the pond requires the ability to determine the direction to the pond with a compass. As for the route from the south junction to the pond’s western side, a steep snowy gorge remains. Preparations such as the wearing of crampons may be required when descending. In either case, climbers who are unaccustomed to walking on snow should be accompanied by an experienced leader or guide.
Photos: Hisago-numa as seen from the north junction on the ridge trail (left) and the steep snowy gorge below the south junction (right) Jun. 29